There wouldn't be any sense in doing that. They have enough on their hands as it is; they're still regularly turning out 156s (sometimes on their own) on the Liverpool to Norwich route and lots of services remain removed from the timetable.
Agreed, but it would mean that a later train could run from Sheffield to Lincoln as the stock/crews would be Lincoln-based. Current last train is 20.53, then to Retford at 21.43 and Worksop 22.43. Is the non-implementation of the improved timetable actually to do with the stock and crew position or is DfT behind it?
Which is as it was pre-pandemic... but I agree that using Lincoln-based crews has some logic to it.
EMR have an Intercity guards depot at Sheffield but that's it. They do however have a lateish train back to Nottingham that could be used to convey units/traincrew from Sheffield.
Its actually the wrong way and is actually a later train Sheffield to Lincoln but would probably have to be covered by Doncaster (Northern), ECS from Lincoln to Doncaster.
No surprises there.
A number of people have suggested this where there is a Nottingham - Worksop - Retford Lincoln - Nottingham service
But it's generally argued that increased frequency does generate revenue, especially if some journeys are speeded up, but not always enough to cover the additional cost, unless there are train crews otherwise "just sitting around", which there won't be. I see the RHL is now hourly with some peak extras Nottingham to MSW.
It does generate additional revenue - the problem is that the DfT will want it to cover most, if not all, of the marginal operating costs. Which is going to be unlikely on regional services that have, and always will, be loss-making.
On some flows it may. But on many flows like this people will just travel on the train when it gets there. There are few other public alternatives, so those that would drive will drive anyway and those that can’t will just have to make do.
There has been an hourly service on the Robin Hood Line between Nottingham and Worksop since the line reopened through to Worksop in 1998. For over 20 years a return trip from Nottingham has not taken too long and has not been unreliable. EMT ran the line very successfully and despite the constraints of the single line sections between Bulwell and Kirkby in Ashfield trains mostly ran to time.
My view is that the Robin Hood line should be covered with 156s (or better) due to higher acceleration than a Class 170 from frequent stops. Class 170s would be better suited to routes with fewer stops and better seating for example Norwich to Liverpool services and maybe Lincoln to Leicester.
I think it might do, actually, if they can un-break Nottingham - The May 2020 timetable really didn't work out and I think May 2022 and December 2022 should be seen as two stages. The North end of the Robin Hood line has never had huge numbers on it with most traffic centred around Mansfield, Shirebrook, Worksop and at a push, Creswell. Langwith and Whitwell have never been particularly well used and attract disproportionate amount of feral kids in gangs bunking the trains, particularly between Shirebrook and Langwith, and Creswell and Whitwell.
Looks like a schedule error to me. The outward 1L37 0738 Leeds to Lincoln is still shown running but with nothing to do at Lincoln....
